BACKGROUND: : There is a huge economic burden of diabetes in South Carolina.METHODS: : The South Carolina Guidelines for Diabetes Care were based on the 2013 Standards of Medical Care from the American Diabetes Association.RESULTS: : From a review of the Diabetes Quality Indicators in South Carolina 2007, Medicare claims data show: 65% of South Carolinians with diabetes insured by Medicare received 2 A1C test per year, 54% received an eye examination and 78% received a lipid panel. Only 42% of these individuals with diabetes had all 3 tests in the same year. In addition, only 50% of individuals with diabetes in South Carolina attended a diabetes self-management class. To improve the statistics and outcomes, the Diabetes Advisory Council provided the evidence-based South Carolina Guidelines for Diabetes Care. They are based on the 2013 Standards of Medical Care from the American Diabetes Association. These guidelines have been promoted at the continuing education programs sponsored by the Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina and the South Carolina Division of Diabetes Prevention and Control and distributed in the community sites by the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health coalition.CONCLUSIONS: : The South Carolina Guidelines for Diabetes will provide evidence-based therapy and monitoring to minimize complications from diabetes and promote a higher quality of life for those with diabetes.

Department of Medicine (KLH), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina; Department of Medicine (JB), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, South Carolina; and Department of Nursing (CMJ), Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina.